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CAN'T – A POEM BY EDGAR GUEST
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each
morning
And robs us of courage we need through the
day:
It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the
way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and half-hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision.
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a
man.
Can't is a word none should speak without
blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his
aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you some day shall
gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and
skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any
man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying: "I can."
"End of Poem"—————————————
Happy Sunday one and all! Remember that you CAN! Whatever it is, you truly can do it. I really enjoy this poem because of it's strength in railing against the "can't" attitude. Written in the 1800's well before the "new age" movement of watered down affirmations, this tells us to HATE the word "can't," to fight against it!
I love that! Now don't get me wrong, I love a good affirmation as well as the next person – but there is something wonderfully invigorating about this poem and it's healthy hatred of the word can't! 🙂
Love,light, and peace,
Mambo Samantha Corfield
www.spellmaker.com
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